The job of being a parent is never ending and a journey of learning for you as it is for your kids. As a parent I'm expected to know what to do in every situation or know how to react when something happens, but in truth I don't always know the "right" reaction or answer for every situation.
I always try to do what is best for the kids even if it may not be what they think is the best but explain why I came to the conclusion that I did and hope that they don't get to upset by it. But inevitably they will be upset by some of my decisions. Kids are kids and they usually want their way. As the parent I suppose that I get my way more than they get theirs...but isn't that just how it goes when your a kid and you aren't the one having to do the work for the request?
I read an interesting tidbit as follows:
What does your child ask when bored? Is it, "I'm bored. What can I do?" or is it, "I'm bored. What can I watch?" If it is the latter, you are raising a future watcher, not a future doer. And if this is the case, my heart goes out to your child.
Becoming a watcher is not a recipe for future happiness and productivity. Brain research shows that the brains of doers and the brains of watchers are different as a result of the way that person spends his/her time.
Do your kids a big favor and restrict electronic entertainment to 30 minutes per day. Turn your child's bedroom into a bedroom instead of a multi-media entertainment center. Take the TV out of the child's room, and put the computer in a public area of the house.
This is not illegal. It is the act of a responsible parent. If you have any doubts, read the works of researchers such as Dr. Stanley Greenspan.
When your child complains about this, answer with, "I know it's hard, but I'm your parent. It's my job."
What type of child are mine? This is something to pay attention to because it will influence how they are in school and what type of parenting should we be doing to assist our kids, in everyaspect of their lives. I love this idea of teaching your kids to use their brains not just being a vegetable. I'm not a huge advocate for tv and gaming systems.
I recently had a friends four boys over for the afternoon/evening, for a few days, and when I told them that we wouldn't be using the game system and that we were going to go outside and play in the pool, on the tramp, in the hot tub, in the sandbox or on the swings set. At first they were unsure about that but when they got outside and started having fun they didn't even remember about the games. I LOVE this!
In my opinion that is one thing that kids should be doing. Playing outside, unleashing their imagination, observing the world around them, interacting with one another. It also aids in sleeping well and exercising when they aren't even knowing that they are doing it because they are to busy having fun.
As a parent I try to think "ok, how will this decision impact my kids, and myself, down the road?" I try to think long term as kids tend to repeat an action or request when they have had it validated in the past.
Being a parent is the hardest job I will ever have and the most rewarding one that I could ever hope for.
The reward: getting a giant, pop your head off hugs and loves or seeing them smile with pride when they accomplish something they are struggling with.
She was sufficiently embarrassed with many of the gifts, which I as her older sister, thought was great. Nothing like getting to see your sibling squirm and turn red in the face, AND not get in trouble for it! 
Mom & Nicole